9/5/20 6:00 pm
The 400-acre Bridger Foothills Fire is burning in the Bridger Mountains northeast of Bozeman. Smoke is visible throughout much of the Gallatin Valley. The fire is near what’s locally known as the M trail and Sypes Canyon.
According to posts on the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, the fire has now jumped Bridger Canyon Road. Officials are currently evacuating residents in Bridger Canyon, and urging residents of Jackson Creek Road all the way to I-90, Brackett Creek Road and Kelly Canyon to evacuate immediately.
Residents of Bridger Canyon who have not been contacted by the sheriff's office yet are asked to evacuate voluntarily.
Residents were warned yesterday and this morning prior to the evacuations.
Bridger Canyon Road is currently closed to non-residents between Story Mill Road and Sedan, and all trails are closed. All trails and roads in the Bangtails are also closed.
The Sheriff's Office is requesting that people stay away from Bridger Canyon, Kelly Canyon and Jackson Creek areas, and not to call 911 unless they are directly impacted by the fire. They report that the situation is dangerous and changing rapidly.
Officials said some firefighters have been injured and structures have been lost, but no details have been given. The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation.
For those that have been displaced by the Bridger Foothills Fire, the Montana Red Cross is opening an evacuation center. The center is located at Christ the King Luther Church, 4383 Durston Road in Bozeman. According to their Facebook post, the Red Cross will provide water, snacks, and updated information. They will also help connect families with community resources. Red Cross services are free and open to all, and masks are required. To request services, call 1-800-272-6668.
The Bobcat Fire south of Roundup in Musselshell County has become extremely active today.
A Type 2 Incident Management Team led by Rick Connell took over management of the fire Saturday morning.
The fire continues to threaten structures, with an unknown number incurring damage. The Johnnys Coal Subdivision, Bruner Mountain Subdivision, Old Divide Subdivision and areas along Fattig Creek Road and the Signal Peak Coal Mine are threatened.
Musselshell County DES is advising people living east, southeast and northeast of the fire to be aware of continually changing conditions and be prepared to evacuate. Questions can be directed to (406) 323-2777.
Musselshell County Disaster and Emergency Services says new evacuation orders will be delivered through reverse 911 or Code Red for people who have signed up for those notification services. DES adds that anyone feeling threatened by fire conditions should not wait to evacuate. Law enforcement will attempt to evacuate homeowners but due to rapidly changing nature of the fire residents are encouraged to not wait.
Highway 87 is closed from its intersection with Highway 12 in Roundup to where it intersects with Old Divide Road. The fire had not crossed Highway 87 as of 8 p.m. Saturday.
The fire is burning in tall grass mixed with ponderosa pine stands and sagebrush. It’s estimated to be 15,766 acres as of Saturday.
Saturday saw very hot temperatures and low humidity. A red flag warning is in effect through Sunday.
A cold front approaching Sunday is expected to bring stronger and shifting winds. Sunday into Monday presents a chance of wedding rain, less than .25 inches. An update to Inciweb says lower temperatures bring the opportunity for direct attack of the fire.
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